The Window of Desiccation Tolerance Shown by Early-Stage Germinating Seedlings Remains Open in the Resurrection Plant, Xerophyta viscosa
Figure 5
Pre-treatment of X. viscosa seedlings with PEG results in chlorophyll degradation.
Representative images of an untreated, PEG-treated and sucrose-treated seedling undergoing dehydration and rehydration. An untreated seedling (MS media) lost chlorophyll and accumulated anthocyanins in response to dehydration, and survived rehydration. A PEG treated seedling completely degraded its chlorophyll in response to PEG priming (prior to dehydration), and recovered well after rehydration. A sucrose-treated seedling failed to lose chlorophyll during dehydration; however, the meristem, primary leaf and a small portion of the cotyledon recovered after rehydration nonetheless.